Sputum culture and sensitivity tests for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis were performed in 329 patients who had received treatment for more than six months, with persistent positive smear and deteriorating radiological lesions. High prevalence of acquired drug resistance (ADR) 63.4% was found during the last 10 years with still higher figures during the last five years (81.48%). INH resistance was more commonly encountered, followed by resistance to other drugs. Significant increase in the ADR was observed for Pyrazinamide and Rifampicin from 4.01% to 8.33% and 3.17% to 17.59% respectively.

Serum samples from 20 patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (Group I), 20 patients with exudative pleural effusion due to causes other than tuberculosis (Group II) and 20 healthy controls were assayed for IgG antibody to PPD-298 by ELISA technique. A significant difference in the antibody titres was found between the Group I and the other groups. There were two false negatives in the Group I and one false positive result each from the Groups II and III. The technique was found to be highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion.

The FEV1, values, obtained by Minispirometer, from five hundred cycle industry workers of Ludhiana were compared to those of 100 matched healthy control subjects. The mean FEV1 was 2.61 L in all the Industrial workers and 2.90 L in all the control subjects (p<0.01). The mean FEV1, of smoking workers was 2.55 L as compared to 2.75 L in the non-smoking workers (p<0.01). Mean FEV1, of 2.42 L (73% of the predicted FEV1) was lowest among the polishers, followed by 2.49L (77% of the predicted) In the paint section workers and 2.52 L (78% of the predicted) In the nickel electroplating workers.

The diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) In healthy subjects before and after ingestion of 100 ml of 75% proof, 42.8% v/v whisky to determine if alcohol could acutely change DLCO. The effects of acute alcohol ingestion on the forced expiratory flow rates and peak flow rate before and after alcohol were also studied. An insignificant decrease was found in DLCO thirty minutes after ingestion of alcohol (p>0.05), but significant decreases were found 60, 90 and 120 minutes after alcohol (p<0.001), the maximum decrease being at 90 minutes. The effects of acute alcohol ingestion on the forced expiratory flow rates were inconsistent. The possible causes leading to the decrease are discussed.

The effect of temperature and humidity was studied in 60 patients of bronchial asthma and 25 normal subjects. Four sets of variables were tested in each subject. 1. Cold and dry air, 2. Cold and humid air, 3. Warm and dry air and 4. Warm and humid air inhalation, The average fall in Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) with cold dry air inhalation was 11.24 per cent and with cold humid air 3.52 per cent. Warm dry air produced a fall of 3.48 per cent, but warm humid air inhalations registered an increase in PEFR of 1.82 per cent. All these changes were statistically significant. PEFR also decreased with cold dry and improved with warm humid air inhalations. No Significant change was observed in control subjects. It was concluded that low temperature and low humidity in inspired air adversely affect the pulmonary functions in bronchial asthma patients and is related to cold stress.

Effect of pentoxifylline, a new dimethyl xanthine, was studied, on respiratory functions and methacholine induced bronchoconstriction in nine stable asthmatics, in a placebo controlled trial. The average PC20 ratio of 2.32±1.26, signifying more than two-fold protection, showed that pentoxifylline inhibited cholinergic induced bronchoconstriction. Maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures also showed significant improvement (35.8±29.6% and 19.7±7.5% respectively), but the expiratory flows did not change. Transient and reversible fall in blood pressure and rise in heart rate were noticed during pentoxifylline infusion.

Repeat (second) bronchoscopy was undertaken in 60 patients with clinically and radiologically suspected pulmonary neoplasm who had inconclusive first fibreoptic bronchoscopy, in an effort to maximise the detection of bronchogenic carcinoma. All the 15 endoscopically visible lesions were found to be primary malignant tumours. Of the remaining 45 patients without bronchoscopically visible lesions, nine (20%) were found to have bronchogenic carcinomas. Maximum yield of 83.3% of total 24 carcinomas belonged to the central lesions. Repeat bronchoscopy in selected patients is useful.

Prolonged lower respiratory tract infection with radiological signs of non-resolving pneumonia in an old man leads one to suspect a neoplasm of the lung. In such a patient chance finding of a foreign body on a routine diagnostic fibreoptic flexible bronchoscopy is a rare occurence. A case report of a 70 year old man with an areca nut (Areca catechu) lodged in his right lower lobe bronchus masquerading as a tumour is presented

The case report focuses on a 52 year old heterosexual male, who met the established criteria for diagnosis of multiple myeioma and HIV disease. A limited autopsy performed showed protean manifestation of HIV disease due to multisystem involvement with opportunistic infections and amyioidosis of lung and kidney. Opportunistic Infections detected were, Pneumocystis Carinil Pneumonia invasive Candidiasis, Aspergillosis and Toxoplasmosis Gondii of heart, lungs and kidneys.